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US5637333A - Sea urchin feed and method of producing same - Google Patents

Sea urchin feed and method of producing same Download PDF

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Publication number
US5637333A
US5637333A US08/562,005 US56200595A US5637333A US 5637333 A US5637333 A US 5637333A US 56200595 A US56200595 A US 56200595A US 5637333 A US5637333 A US 5637333A
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United States
Prior art keywords
feed
weight
sea
feeds
extruder
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Expired - Lifetime
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US08/562,005
Inventor
Addison L. Lawrence
John M. Lawrence
Joseph P. Kearns
Galen J. Rokey
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Wenger Manufacturing LLC
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Wenger Manufacturing LLC
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Priority to US08/562,005 priority Critical patent/US5637333A/en
Assigned to WENGER MANUFACTURING CO., INC. reassignment WENGER MANUFACTURING CO., INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KEARNS, JOSEPH P., LAWRENCE, ADDISON, LAWRENCE, JOHN M., ROKEY, GALEN J.
Priority to AU70780/96A priority patent/AU7078096A/en
Priority to PCT/US1996/015143 priority patent/WO1997018719A1/en
Priority to TW085115204A priority patent/TW357060B/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5637333A publication Critical patent/US5637333A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K50/00—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals
    • A23K50/80—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals for aquatic animals, e.g. fish, crustaceans or molluscs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K40/00—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K40/20—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs by moulding, e.g. making cakes or briquettes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K40/00—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K40/25—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs by extrusion
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish
    • Y02A40/818—Alternative feeds for fish, e.g. in aquacultures
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S426/00—Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
    • Y10S426/805—Pet food for dog, cat, bird, or fish

Definitions

  • the present invention is broadly concerned with an improved, extruded, semi-moist, stable sea urchin feed product which is very efficiently utilized by sea urchins and significantly increases economically important gonadal growth. More particularly, the invention pertains to such extruded feeds which have proper size, texture, specific gravity and water stability properties rendering the feed ideal for the particular feeding habits of sea urchins.
  • the feeds of the invention include protein and carbohydrate, and preferably a humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol and corn syrup), and have a specific gravity in sea water insuring that the feed will sink.
  • Sea urchins are marine echinoderms of the class Echinoidea, and have been harvested by man as a food source delicacy for thousands of years. All commercially exploited sea urchins are epibenthic, shallow-water grazers, and typically position themselves atop and slowly feed upon a food source. Sea urchins are harvested according to season for their gonads, which are highly prized in Asian and Mediterranean countries. Indeed, sea urchin gonads are a premium product which command extremely high prices on the world market.
  • sea urchins be farmed in aquatic cages.
  • attempts have been made in the past to provide artificial feeds for sea urchins so as to replicate or even improve natural sea urchin growth and development.
  • organic binders such as agar.
  • These feeds were labor-intensive and expensive to produce, and were thus not commercially viable.
  • many of these prior artificial feeds were also deficient in that they tended to disperse in sea water after a relatively short period of time, and thus did not meet the specialized feeding habits of sea urchins.
  • the feeds of the invention are in the form of extruded, semi-moist, solid pellet-type bodies which will sink in sea water.
  • the bodies include 12-24% by weight total crude protein, 30-60% by weight carbohydrate, and from about 12-40% by weight moisture.
  • the feed bodies have an as manufactured water activity of up to about 0.8, are storable at ambient temperature conditions without significant degradation or molding for a period of at least two months, and are self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least about 24 hours.
  • the sea urchin feeds of the invention include a polyhydroxy humectant such as glycerin, as well as phosphoric acid and potassium sorbate in sufficient quantities to insure that the feeds have the necessary storage and sea water integrity.
  • a polyhydroxy humectant such as glycerin
  • phosphoric acid and potassium sorbate in sufficient quantities to insure that the feeds have the necessary storage and sea water integrity.
  • the products also advantageously include fish oil and kelp, although these are not absolutely essential ingredients.
  • the feeds of the invention are produced by extrusion cooking wherein the starting ingredients are preferably preconditioned and fed into and through an elongated extruder barrel equipped with one or more axially rotatable auger screws therein.
  • the mixture is subjected to increasing levels of temperature, pressure and shear, and the material is then ultimately extruded through a restricted orifice die.
  • the extrudate merges from the die, it is conventionally cut to a desired length and then may be further dried as required to achieve the desired final moisture content.
  • the semi-moist, stable sea urchin feeds of the invention include protein and carbohydrate fractions.
  • the total crude protein level of the feeds is preferably 12-24% by weight, and more preferably 15-20% by weight.
  • Virtually any animal, marine or vegetable protein source may be used in the invention, but it is particularly preferred to use sources selected from the group consisting of marine meal, marine oil, soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn and mixtures thereof as protein sources.
  • fish oil is used in the feed products, it should be present at a level of from about 0.1-8% by weight, and more preferably from about 0.2-4% by weight.
  • the feeds of the invention should exhibit a protein dispersibility index (PDI) less than about 30%, and more preferably from about 15-25%.
  • PDI protein dispersibility index
  • the PDI is a measure of the ratio of water soluble protein to total protein, and is measured by a test established by the American Association of Cereal Chemistry as AACC Method 46-24, which is incorporated by reference herein. Two feeds in accordance with the invention were measured for PDI and gave results of 21.4% and 20.7% respectively. The total crude protein contents of these feeds were 14.27% and 13.78% respectively.
  • the feeds of the invention should contain 30-60% by weight carbohydrate, and more preferably 40-55% by weight thereof.
  • carbohydrate sources particularly preferred for use in the invention may be selected from the group consisting of soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn, lupin, rice and mixtures thereof.
  • the feeds of the invention may also include kelp, which of course contributes to the total crude protein, fat, carbohydrate and micronutrient content of the feeds.
  • Kelp when used is normally present at a level of from about 1-65% by weight, and more preferably from about 5-35% by weight.
  • the feeds of the invention be semi-moist and resilient to the touch. Accordingly, the feeds should contain from about 12-40% by weight moisture, and more preferably from about 20-30% by weight moisture. At the same time, the feeds hereof must have adequate ambient storage characteristics, i.e., the feeds should resist significant degradation and molding upon ambient temperature storage for a period of at least about two months, and preferably at least about six months. Accordingly, the products should have an as manufactured water activity (i.e., at the time of initial manufacture) of up to about 0.8, and more preferably up to about 0.7. In order to accomplish this, it is desirable to incorporate into the feeds a humectant, typically a polyhydroxy compound such as glycerin.
  • a humectant typically a polyhydroxy compound such as glycerin.
  • the humectant level should be from about 3-20% by weight, and more preferably from about 5-12% by weight. These desirable properties are also enhanced by the addition of phosphoric acid and a preservative such as potassium sorbate into the feed products. Phosphoric acid is advantageously used at a level of from about 0.1-3% by weight, and more preferably from about 0.5-2% by weight. Inclusion of these types of ingredients, together with the preferred extrusion processing, insures that the feeds will have the necessary storage characteristics.
  • the products of the invention be substantially self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least 24 hours, and more preferably for at least four days. This allows the slow-feeding sea urchins the opportunity to migrate to and consume the feeds in their natural manner.
  • self-sustaining it is meant that the products remain substantially intact and do not depreciably dissociate, dissolve or unduly expand when exposed to sea water, while also retaining necessary nutrient quality.
  • the feeds of the invention must sink in sea water to be usable by sea urchins. Accordingly, the products should have a specific gravity in sea water of greater than about 1, and more preferably greater than about 1.1.
  • Other gross physical properties of interest include: bulk density, which should be from about 35-50 lb/ft 3 and more preferably from about 40-45 lb 3 /ft; maximum pellet diameter of 0.5-1.5 cm, and more preferably from about 0.75-1 cm; pellet length of from about 1-2.5 cm, and more preferably from about 1.5-2 cm; and expansion, which should at a maximum be up to about 20%, and more preferably up to about 10%.
  • Expansion refers to the average cross-sectional area of an extruded pellet as compared with the nominal cross-sectional area of the corresponding die orifice used in fabrication of the pellet. Thus, if a given die orifice has a cross-sectional area of "X", the average cross-sectional area of an extruded pellet should be no more than 1.2X, and more preferably no more than 1.1X.
  • the feeds of the invention are produced using conventional extrusion processing equipment. It is particularly preferred to employ for this purpose a Wenger TX Series twin screw extruder (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,847, incorporated by reference herein), together with a Wenger DDC preconditioner (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,139, incorporated by reference herein).
  • the preferred DDC preconditioner is designed to receive incoming ingredients into moisturized and partially cook these ingredients prior to delivery thereof to the extruder.
  • the preconditioner includes an elongated, dual-chamber barrel equipped with an inlet and a spaced outlet, the latter being in communication with the extruder barrel inlet.
  • the preconditioner also includes a pair of rotatable shafts each equipped with outwardly extending paddles or mixing elements.
  • the preconditioner barrel is normally provided with inlets for introduction of steam, water or other liquids into the confines of the barrel.
  • the preblended starting ingredients are subjected to heating, moisturizing and mixing by virtue of the injection of steam and water into the preconditioner barrel, and the action of the rotating paddles.
  • preconditioning is carried out to achieve a maximum temperature of from about 30°-95° C., and more preferably from about 65°-90° C.; the average residence time in the preconditioner ranges from about 15 seconds to 3 minutes, and more preferably from about 2-2.5 minutes.
  • Sufficient moisture is added to the dry ingredients during preconditioning to achieve a total moisture content in the material as it leaves the preconditioner of from about 18-30% by weight wet basis, and more preferably from about 20-25% by weight.
  • the extruder devices are themselves well know and include an elongated, multiple section barrel with one or two elongated, axially rotatable auger screws therein and an endmost restricted orifice extrusion die mounted to the barrel.
  • the barrel sections are commonly equipped with jackets for the introduction of heating or cooling media, and also have injection ports allowing steam and/or water to be injected directly into the confines of the barrel for mixing with the ingredients during processing.
  • the treated ingredients are fed into the inlet of the extruder barrel.
  • the material is heated to a maximum temperature of up to about 175° C., and more preferably from about 110°-125° C.
  • Maximum pressure conditions achieved in the extruder barrel should be in the range of from about 150-600 psi, and more preferably from about 200-400 psi.
  • the total average residence time of material in the barrel is from about 20-50 seconds, and more preferably from about 25-30 seconds.
  • the extruder (which may be either or single twin screw) is equipped with a mid-barrel vent allowing passage of moisture from the material in order to create a denser final product.
  • the material first passes through a cooking zone, and then through venting and forming zones, with final extrusion through the endmost barrel die.
  • the materials are heated to the maximum temperature achieved in the extruder in the cooking zone.
  • the venting zone steam and/or volatiles are vented.
  • the material is densified immediately prior to extrusion.
  • the extruded products should be partially dried to achieve the desired moisture level. This can be accomplished by any conventional means, although multiple-pass dryer/cooler devices of known construction are most preferred. No particular drying conditions are required so long as the dictates of the invention are met.
  • the dry ingredients of each recipe were ground through a 60 mesh screen and the liquid ingredients were then added with mixing.
  • the prepared starting recipes were fed into and through a preconditioner/extrusion cooker apparatus.
  • the equipment included a Model MDL 2 DDC preconditioner (Configuration No. 329) as well as a six head TX52 twin screw extruder. These components are commercialized by Wenger Manufacturing of Sabetha, Kans.
  • the TX52 configuration included (where all pats are Wenger parts): heads 1-6, 55316-001, 55307-001 (heads 2-5), and 55319-001; and rotating elements from inlet to outlet, 55357-203, 55357-203, 55357-203, 55325-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-102 F, 55324-105 F, 55324-103, 55325-003, 55324-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-103 F, 55324-105 F, 55324-003, 55325-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-103 R, 55324-101 R, and 55321-007.
  • the die and knife configuration included knife holder 55225-003 and six No. 19430-005 knife blades.
  • the die/adapter assembly coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel included Wenger parts 55372-723, 55372-723, 74010-614 and 31450-975.
  • the premixed starting ingredients were fed into the preconditioner along with steam and water to premoisture and partially precook the ingredients.
  • the material was fed into the extruder barrel where the material was subjected to increasing temperatures, pressure and shear.
  • water and steam were fed into the interior of the extruder barrel during passage of the ingredients therethrough.
  • the jacketed extruder heads were provided with heating or cooling media such as cold water (CW), hot oil (HO) or steam (S).
  • the preconditioner employed in Run #3 was an MDL 2 DDC (Configuration #109).
  • the extruder was an eight head Wenger TX52 twin screw extruder including the following Wenger parts: heads 1-8, 55316-001 (head 1), 55307-001 (heads 2-4 and 6-7), 55343-003 (head 5), and 55319-001 (head 8); rotating elements from inlet to outlet, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55325-103, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, and 55321-005.
  • the knife assembly included knife holder 55226-003 and three 19430-005 blades.
  • the die/adapter assembly included parts 55372-703SP, 55372-103 BH, and 74010-319 NA.
  • Run #3 the extrudate was dried in a Wenger 4800 dryer operating in the cooler mode (i.e., without heating). Zones 1-3 of the dryer were at 29°, 26° and 25° C., respectively with first and second pass retention times of 8.6 and 11.3 minutes.
  • the extrudate as discharged from the extruder had a density of 624 kg/m 3 and the extrusion run gave a uniform, well-shaped, stable sea urchin food. After passing through the cooler, the product had a moisture content of 26.5% by weight.
  • the equipment employed in Run #4 included a Wenger Model 1 DC preconditioner (Configuration #20) and a nine head TX 52 twin screw extruder.
  • the extruder configuration included: heads 55316-001 (head 1); 5307-001 (heads 2-5 and 7-8), 55343-003 (head 6) and 55319-001 (head 9); rotating elements 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-103, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55357-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003,
  • the extrudate from this run was cooler-dried using the same setup of Run #3, a 30° C. temperature, and stage retention times of 3.4, 3.5 and 4.3 minutes.
  • the product upon leaving the cooler-dryer had a moisture content of 26.94% by wt.
  • the cooler-dryer conditions were as recorded relative to Run #3.
  • the feed had a moisture content of 27.71% by weight after treatment in the cooler-dryer.
  • feed products produced in accordance with Runs #3 and #5 were tested in Chile, to determine the gonad growth effects thereof in sea urchins (Loxechinus albus).
  • the tests were conducted during the spring when sea urchin gonads are mature, and autumn during gonadal development.
  • 75 animals were placed in a field sea cage and in a sea water aquarium where sea water flow was controlled with pumps.
  • the 75 animals in each test environment were divided into five groups: Group 1, fed the kelp-containing feed of Run #3; Group 2, the kelp-free feed of Run #5; Groups 3 and 4, two species of naturally occurring algae; and Group 5, which was starved. All feeds were given ad libitum.
  • the initial average gonad index (the percent of body weight represented by gonads, Gl avg ) for a subsample of the animal population was determined.
  • the following table sets forth the results of these tests, which presents approximate gonad index percentage data:

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Abstract

Improved sea urchin feeds are provided which are very efficiently utilized by sea urchins and significantly increase gonadal development. The feeds are semi-moist, stable, extruded solid pellets or bodies which sink in sea water and have protein and carbohydrate fractions as well as a moisture content of from about 12-40% by weight. The feed bodies have an as manufactured water activity of up to about 0.8, are storable at ambient temperature for a period of at least two months, and are self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least about 24 hours. Preferred feeds include kelp, fish oil and humectant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved, extruded, semi-moist, stable sea urchin feed product which is very efficiently utilized by sea urchins and significantly increases economically important gonadal growth. More particularly, the invention pertains to such extruded feeds which have proper size, texture, specific gravity and water stability properties rendering the feed ideal for the particular feeding habits of sea urchins. The feeds of the invention include protein and carbohydrate, and preferably a humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol and corn syrup), and have a specific gravity in sea water insuring that the feed will sink.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sea urchins are marine echinoderms of the class Echinoidea, and have been harvested by man as a food source delicacy for thousands of years. All commercially exploited sea urchins are epibenthic, shallow-water grazers, and typically position themselves atop and slowly feed upon a food source. Sea urchins are harvested according to season for their gonads, which are highly prized in Asian and Mediterranean countries. Indeed, sea urchin gonads are a premium product which command extremely high prices on the world market.
In light of these considerations, it has been suggested in the past that sea urchins be farmed in aquatic cages. Moreover, attempts have been made in the past to provide artificial feeds for sea urchins, so as to replicate or even improve natural sea urchin growth and development. Thus, it has been known to prepare artificial feeds using protein and carbohydrate sources along with organic binders such as agar. These feeds were labor-intensive and expensive to produce, and were thus not commercially viable. From a functional standpoint, many of these prior artificial feeds were also deficient in that they tended to disperse in sea water after a relatively short period of time, and thus did not meet the specialized feeding habits of sea urchins.
There is accordingly a real and unsatisfied need in the art for a improved sea urchin feed product which can be economically produced on a commercial scale and which have the necessary properties of resiliency, specific gravity, nutritional qualities and prolonged self-sustension in sea water allowing the feeds to be used as a natural food substitute for sea urchins in aquatic farming operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides an improved sea urchin feed which is shown to be ideal for the growth and gonadal development of sea urchins. Broadly speaking, the feeds of the invention are in the form of extruded, semi-moist, solid pellet-type bodies which will sink in sea water. The bodies include 12-24% by weight total crude protein, 30-60% by weight carbohydrate, and from about 12-40% by weight moisture. In order to accommodate the practical necessities of storage and sea water stability, the feed bodies have an as manufactured water activity of up to about 0.8, are storable at ambient temperature conditions without significant degradation or molding for a period of at least two months, and are self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least about 24 hours.
In preferred forms, the sea urchin feeds of the invention include a polyhydroxy humectant such as glycerin, as well as phosphoric acid and potassium sorbate in sufficient quantities to insure that the feeds have the necessary storage and sea water integrity. From a nutritional standpoint, the products also advantageously include fish oil and kelp, although these are not absolutely essential ingredients.
The feeds of the invention are produced by extrusion cooking wherein the starting ingredients are preferably preconditioned and fed into and through an elongated extruder barrel equipped with one or more axially rotatable auger screws therein. During passage through the extruder barrel, the mixture is subjected to increasing levels of temperature, pressure and shear, and the material is then ultimately extruded through a restricted orifice die. As the extrudate merges from the die, it is conventionally cut to a desired length and then may be further dried as required to achieve the desired final moisture content.
Actual feeding trials using the extruded feeds of the invention demonstrate that the feeds are more efficiently utilized by sea urchins than natural feeds. More importantly, these tests also confirm that the feeds hereof very significantly enhance gonadal growth and weight, thus enhancing the commercially significant portion of the sea urchins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As indicated, the semi-moist, stable sea urchin feeds of the invention include protein and carbohydrate fractions. The total crude protein level of the feeds is preferably 12-24% by weight, and more preferably 15-20% by weight. Virtually any animal, marine or vegetable protein source may be used in the invention, but it is particularly preferred to use sources selected from the group consisting of marine meal, marine oil, soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn and mixtures thereof as protein sources. Where fish oil is used in the feed products, it should be present at a level of from about 0.1-8% by weight, and more preferably from about 0.2-4% by weight. As finally processed, the feeds of the invention should exhibit a protein dispersibility index (PDI) less than about 30%, and more preferably from about 15-25%. The PDI is a measure of the ratio of water soluble protein to total protein, and is measured by a test established by the American Association of Cereal Chemistry as AACC Method 46-24, which is incorporated by reference herein. Two feeds in accordance with the invention were measured for PDI and gave results of 21.4% and 20.7% respectively. The total crude protein contents of these feeds were 14.27% and 13.78% respectively.
In terms of carbohydrate content, the feeds of the invention should contain 30-60% by weight carbohydrate, and more preferably 40-55% by weight thereof. As will be readily appreciated, many vegetable protein sources also provide carbohydrates. To this end, the carbohydrate sources particularly preferred for use in the invention may be selected from the group consisting of soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn, lupin, rice and mixtures thereof.
Seaweed is the predominant natural food for sea urchins. Therefore, the feeds of the invention may also include kelp, which of course contributes to the total crude protein, fat, carbohydrate and micronutrient content of the feeds. Kelp when used is normally present at a level of from about 1-65% by weight, and more preferably from about 5-35% by weight.
It is important that the feeds of the invention be semi-moist and resilient to the touch. Accordingly, the feeds should contain from about 12-40% by weight moisture, and more preferably from about 20-30% by weight moisture. At the same time, the feeds hereof must have adequate ambient storage characteristics, i.e., the feeds should resist significant degradation and molding upon ambient temperature storage for a period of at least about two months, and preferably at least about six months. Accordingly, the products should have an as manufactured water activity (i.e., at the time of initial manufacture) of up to about 0.8, and more preferably up to about 0.7. In order to accomplish this, it is desirable to incorporate into the feeds a humectant, typically a polyhydroxy compound such as glycerin. The humectant level should be from about 3-20% by weight, and more preferably from about 5-12% by weight. These desirable properties are also enhanced by the addition of phosphoric acid and a preservative such as potassium sorbate into the feed products. Phosphoric acid is advantageously used at a level of from about 0.1-3% by weight, and more preferably from about 0.5-2% by weight. Inclusion of these types of ingredients, together with the preferred extrusion processing, insures that the feeds will have the necessary storage characteristics.
It is also very important that the products of the invention be substantially self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least 24 hours, and more preferably for at least four days. This allows the slow-feeding sea urchins the opportunity to migrate to and consume the feeds in their natural manner. By self-sustaining, it is meant that the products remain substantially intact and do not depreciably dissociate, dissolve or unduly expand when exposed to sea water, while also retaining necessary nutrient quality.
The feeds of the invention must sink in sea water to be usable by sea urchins. Accordingly, the products should have a specific gravity in sea water of greater than about 1, and more preferably greater than about 1.1. Other gross physical properties of interest include: bulk density, which should be from about 35-50 lb/ft3 and more preferably from about 40-45 lb3 /ft; maximum pellet diameter of 0.5-1.5 cm, and more preferably from about 0.75-1 cm; pellet length of from about 1-2.5 cm, and more preferably from about 1.5-2 cm; and expansion, which should at a maximum be up to about 20%, and more preferably up to about 10%. Expansion refers to the average cross-sectional area of an extruded pellet as compared with the nominal cross-sectional area of the corresponding die orifice used in fabrication of the pellet. Thus, if a given die orifice has a cross-sectional area of "X", the average cross-sectional area of an extruded pellet should be no more than 1.2X, and more preferably no more than 1.1X.
The feeds of the invention are produced using conventional extrusion processing equipment. It is particularly preferred to employ for this purpose a Wenger TX Series twin screw extruder (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,847, incorporated by reference herein), together with a Wenger DDC preconditioner (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,139, incorporated by reference herein).
The preferred DDC preconditioner is designed to receive incoming ingredients into moisturized and partially cook these ingredients prior to delivery thereof to the extruder. The preconditioner includes an elongated, dual-chamber barrel equipped with an inlet and a spaced outlet, the latter being in communication with the extruder barrel inlet. The preconditioner also includes a pair of rotatable shafts each equipped with outwardly extending paddles or mixing elements. In addition, the preconditioner barrel is normally provided with inlets for introduction of steam, water or other liquids into the confines of the barrel. During preconditioning, the preblended starting ingredients are subjected to heating, moisturizing and mixing by virtue of the injection of steam and water into the preconditioner barrel, and the action of the rotating paddles. Preferably, preconditioning is carried out to achieve a maximum temperature of from about 30°-95° C., and more preferably from about 65°-90° C.; the average residence time in the preconditioner ranges from about 15 seconds to 3 minutes, and more preferably from about 2-2.5 minutes. Sufficient moisture is added to the dry ingredients during preconditioning to achieve a total moisture content in the material as it leaves the preconditioner of from about 18-30% by weight wet basis, and more preferably from about 20-25% by weight.
The extruder devices are themselves well know and include an elongated, multiple section barrel with one or two elongated, axially rotatable auger screws therein and an endmost restricted orifice extrusion die mounted to the barrel. The barrel sections are commonly equipped with jackets for the introduction of heating or cooling media, and also have injection ports allowing steam and/or water to be injected directly into the confines of the barrel for mixing with the ingredients during processing.
After preconditioning, the treated ingredients are fed into the inlet of the extruder barrel. During passage of the ingredients along and through the extruder, it is preferred that the material is heated to a maximum temperature of up to about 175° C., and more preferably from about 110°-125° C. Maximum pressure conditions achieved in the extruder barrel should be in the range of from about 150-600 psi, and more preferably from about 200-400 psi. The total average residence time of material in the barrel is from about 20-50 seconds, and more preferably from about 25-30 seconds. If desired, the extruder (which may be either or single twin screw) is equipped with a mid-barrel vent allowing passage of moisture from the material in order to create a denser final product. In such an extruder configuration, the material first passes through a cooking zone, and then through venting and forming zones, with final extrusion through the endmost barrel die. In such processing, the materials are heated to the maximum temperature achieved in the extruder in the cooking zone. In the venting zone, steam and/or volatiles are vented. In the forming zone, downstream of the vent, the material is densified immediately prior to extrusion.
In many cases, the extruded products should be partially dried to achieve the desired moisture level. This can be accomplished by any conventional means, although multiple-pass dryer/cooler devices of known construction are most preferred. No particular drying conditions are required so long as the dictates of the invention are met.
In summary, certain ingredients and properties of the extruded feeds of the invention are summarized in the following table, which set forth approximate values.
              TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Ingredients or Properties                                                 
               Broad Range  Preferred Range                               
______________________________________                                    
Total Crude Protein                                                       
               12-24% by wt.                                              
                            15-20% by wt.                                 
Total Carbohydrate                                                        
               30-60% by wt.                                              
                            40-55% by wt.                                 
Total Crude Fat                                                           
               3-9% by wt.  4-7% by wt.                                   
Total Moisture 12-40% by wt.                                              
                            20-30% by wt.                                 
Kelp           1-65% by wt. 5-35% by wt.                                  
Humectant      3-20% by wt. 5-12% by wt.                                  
Fish Oil       0.1-8% by wt.                                              
                            0.2-4% by wt.                                 
Phosphoric Acid                                                           
               0.1-3% by wt.                                              
                            0.5-2% by wt.                                 
Water Activity up to 0.8    up to 0.7                                     
Ambient Storage                                                           
               at least 2 months                                          
                            at least 6 months                             
Self-Sustension in Sea                                                    
               at least 24 hours                                          
                            at least 4 days                               
Water                                                                     
Protein Dispersibility                                                    
               less than 30%                                              
                            15-25%                                        
Index                                                                     
Specific Gravity in Sea                                                   
               greater than 1.0                                           
                            greater than 1.1                              
Water                                                                     
Bulk Density   35-50 lb/ft.sup.3                                          
                            40-45 lb/ft.sup.3                             
Maximum Diameter                                                          
               0.5-1.5 cm   0.75-1.0 cm                                   
Length         1-2.5 cm     1.5-2 cm                                      
Expansion      up to 20%    up to 10%                                     
______________________________________
The following examples are presented in order to illustrate the production and use of feeds in accordance with the invention. It is to be understood however that these examples are provided by way of illustration only and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
In this example, two urchin feed products were produced. The runs were carried out using formulas having the following ingredients.
              TABLE 2                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                  RECIPE NO.                                              
Ingredient (% By Wt.)                                                     
                    1       2                                             
______________________________________                                    
Kelp Meal           60.01   20.02                                         
Soy Flour           6.48    54.98                                         
Fish Oil            1.50    2.29                                          
Glycerine           7.98    7.98                                          
Phosphoric Acid (75%)                                                     
                    1.01    1.01                                          
Potassium Sorbate   0.22    0.22                                          
Wheat Flour         22.80   13.49                                         
______________________________________
The dry ingredients of each recipe were ground through a 60 mesh screen and the liquid ingredients were then added with mixing. At this point, the prepared starting recipes were fed into and through a preconditioner/extrusion cooker apparatus. In particular, the equipment included a Model MDL 2 DDC preconditioner (Configuration No. 329) as well as a six head TX52 twin screw extruder. These components are commercialized by Wenger Manufacturing of Sabetha, Kans. The TX52 configuration included (where all pats are Wenger parts): heads 1-6, 55316-001, 55307-001 (heads 2-5), and 55319-001; and rotating elements from inlet to outlet, 55357-203, 55357-203, 55357-203, 55325-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-102 F, 55324-105 F, 55324-103, 55325-003, 55324-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-103 F, 55324-105 F, 55324-003, 55325-003, 55324-101 O, 55324-103 R, 55324-101 R, and 55321-007. The die and knife configuration included knife holder 55225-003 and six No. 19430-005 knife blades. The die/adapter assembly coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel included Wenger parts 55372-723, 55372-723, 74010-614 and 31450-975.
In carrying out the runs described below, the premixed starting ingredients were fed into the preconditioner along with steam and water to premoisture and partially precook the ingredients. After preconditioning, the material was fed into the extruder barrel where the material was subjected to increasing temperatures, pressure and shear. In addition, water and steam were fed into the interior of the extruder barrel during passage of the ingredients therethrough. Also, in some instances, the jacketed extruder heads were provided with heating or cooling media such as cold water (CW), hot oil (HO) or steam (S).
As the extrudate emerged from the barrel die, it was cut using the described knife structure. Thereupon, the products were collected as soft, moist, stable sea urchin feeds.
The following table sets forth the results of this series of production runs.
              TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                     Run #1 Run #2                                        
______________________________________                                    
DRY RECIPE INFORMATION                                                    
Feed Screw Speed   rpm     26       26                                    
PRECONDITIONING                                                           
INFORMATION                                                               
Steam Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                   kg/hr.  12       11                                    
Water Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                   kg/hr.  7.8      7.8                                   
EXTRUSION INFORMATION                                                     
Moisture Entering Extruder                                                
                   % wb    20.25    24.46                                 
Extruder Shaft Speed                                                      
                   rpm     350      350                                   
Extruder Motor Load                                                       
                   %       21       23                                    
Water Flow to Extruder                                                    
                   kg/hr.  4        4                                     
(barrel injection)                                                        
Steam Flow to Extruder                                                    
                   kg/hr.  5        5                                     
(barrel injection)                                                        
Control/Temperature 2nd Head                                              
                   °C.                                             
                           CW/81    --                                    
Control/Temperature 3rd Head                                              
                   °C.                                             
                           CW/88    --                                    
Control/Temperature 4th Head                                              
                   °C.                                             
                           S/121    --                                    
Control/Temperature 5th Head                                              
                   °C.                                             
                           S/99     --                                    
Control/Temperature 6th Head                                              
                   °C.                                             
                           CW/66    --                                    
MOISTURE INFORMATION                                                      
Extruder Discharge % wb    23.01    24.33                                 
Recipe Number              1        2                                     
______________________________________
The extrudates from these runs exhibited very good shape, durability and texture and were superior sea urchin feeds.
EXAMPLE 2
In this example, two sea urchin feeds were prepared in the manner outlined in Example 1, using in each case Recipe #3 set forth below. The starting formula included the following ingredients.
              TABLE 4                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Ingredient (% By Wt.)                                                     
                    RECIPE NO. 3                                          
______________________________________                                    
Kelp Meal           12.81                                                 
Soy Flour           10.22                                                 
Fish Oil            0.23                                                  
Lecithin            0.91                                                  
Corn                29.28                                                 
Wheat Middlings     25.16                                                 
Cholesterol         0.27                                                  
Fish Meal           10.98                                                 
Monobasic Sodium Phosphate                                                
                    1.22                                                  
Ethoxyquin          0.18                                                  
Vitamin/Mineral Premix                                                    
                    0.15                                                  
Stay C Vitamin C Additive                                                 
                    0.08                                                  
Glycerin            7.32                                                  
Phosphoric acid (75%)                                                     
                    0.91                                                  
Potassium sorbate   0.27                                                  
______________________________________
The preconditioner employed in Run #3 was an MDL 2 DDC (Configuration #109). The extruder was an eight head Wenger TX52 twin screw extruder including the following Wenger parts: heads 1-8, 55316-001 (head 1), 55307-001 (heads 2-4 and 6-7), 55343-003 (head 5), and 55319-001 (head 8); rotating elements from inlet to outlet, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55357-003, 55325-103, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, and 55321-005. The knife assembly included knife holder 55226-003 and three 19430-005 blades. The die/adapter assembly included parts 55372-703SP, 55372-103 BH, and 74010-319 NA. In Run #3, the extrudate was dried in a Wenger 4800 dryer operating in the cooler mode (i.e., without heating). Zones 1-3 of the dryer were at 29°, 26° and 25° C., respectively with first and second pass retention times of 8.6 and 11.3 minutes. The extrudate as discharged from the extruder had a density of 624 kg/m3 and the extrusion run gave a uniform, well-shaped, stable sea urchin food. After passing through the cooler, the product had a moisture content of 26.5% by weight.
The following table sets forth the data collected during this run.
              TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                          Run #3                                          
______________________________________                                    
DRY RECIPE INFORMATION                                                    
Feed Screw Speed        rpm     25                                        
PRECONDITIONING INFORMATION                                               
Preconditioner Speed    rpm     99                                        
Steam Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  11                                        
Water Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  7.98                                      
Preconditioner Discharge Temperature                                      
                        °C.                                        
                                81                                        
Moisture Entering Extruder                                                
                        % wb    18.96                                     
EXTRUSION INFORMATION                                                     
Extruder Shaft Speed    rpm     295                                       
Extruder Motor Load     %       21                                        
Water Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  17.38                                     
Steam Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  5.9                                       
Control/Temperature 2nd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/95                                     
Control/Temperature 3rd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                S/116                                     
Control/Temperature 4th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                S/112                                     
Control/Temperature 5th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                Vent                                      
Control/Temperature 6th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/78                                     
Control/Temperature 7th Head    CW/59                                     
Control/Temperature 8th Head    CW/58                                     
MOISTURE INFORMATION                                                      
Extruder Discharge      % wb    28.34                                     
Recipe Number                   3                                         
______________________________________
The equipment employed in Run #4 included a Wenger Model 1 DC preconditioner (Configuration #20) and a nine head TX 52 twin screw extruder. The extruder configuration included: heads 55316-001 (head 1); 5307-001 (heads 2-5 and 7-8), 55343-003 (head 6) and 55319-001 (head 9); rotating elements 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-103, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55325-003, 55324-101 R, 55324-103 R, 55324-105 R, 55357-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, and 55321-005. The die and adapter assembly included parts 55372-703 SP, 55372-111 BH and 74010-319 NA.
The extrusion conditions recorded in this run are set forth below.
              TABLE 6                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                          Run #4                                          
______________________________________                                    
DRY RECIPE INFORMATION                                                    
Feed Screw Speed        rpm     27                                        
PRECONDITIONING INFORMATION                                               
Preconditioner Speed    rpm161                                            
Steam Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  12.3                                      
Water Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  9.8                                       
Moisture Entering Extruder                                                
                        % wb    21.49                                     
EXTRUSION INFORMATION                                                     
Extruder Shaft Speed    rpm     320                                       
Extruder Motor Load     %       22                                        
Water Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  17.50                                     
Steam Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  6.5                                       
Control/Temperature 2nd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/58                                     
Control/Temperature 3rd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/58                                     
Control/Temperature 4th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/58                                     
Control/Temperature 5th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                HO/115                                    
Control/Temperature 6th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                HO/115                                    
Control/Temperature 7th Head    CW/76                                     
Control/Temperature 8th Head    CW/76                                     
Control/Temperature 9th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/78                                     
MOISTURE INFORMATION                                                      
Extruder Discharge      % wb    31.71                                     
Recipe Number                   3                                         
______________________________________
The extrudate from this run was cooler-dried using the same setup of Run #3, a 30° C. temperature, and stage retention times of 3.4, 3.5 and 4.3 minutes. The product upon leaving the cooler-dryer had a moisture content of 26.94% by wt.
EXAMPLE 3
In this test, an urchin feed was produced as set forth in Example 1, using a recipe free of kelp. The recipe contained:
              TABLE 7                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Ingredient (% By Wt.)                                                     
                    RECIPE NO. 4                                          
______________________________________                                    
Corn                36.54                                                 
Wheat Middlings     36.40                                                 
Soybean Flour       11.10                                                 
Fish Meal           10.00                                                 
Calcium Carbonate (Limestone)                                             
                    1.68                                                  
Monobasic Sodium Phosphate                                                
                    1.17                                                  
Lecithin            1.00                                                  
Fish Oil            0.71                                                  
Salt                0.61                                                  
Cholesterol         0.30                                                  
Ethoxyquin          0.20                                                  
Vitamin/Mineral Premix                                                    
                    0.20                                                  
Stay C Vitamin C Additive                                                 
                    0.08                                                  
Canthaxonthin       0.01                                                  
______________________________________
The equipment used was the same as that described in connection with Run #3 above. The extrusion conditions were as follows:
              TABLE 8                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                          Run #5                                          
______________________________________                                    
DRY RECIPE INFORMATION                                                    
Feed Screw Speed        rpm     25.5                                      
PRECONDITIONING INFORMATION                                               
Preconditioner Speed    rpm     99                                        
Steam Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  11                                        
Water Flow to Preconditioner                                              
                        kg/hr.  7.88                                      
Preconditioner Discharge Temperature                                      
                        °C.                                        
                                93                                        
Moisture Entering Extruder                                                
                        % wb    18.83                                     
EXTRUSION INFORMATION                                                     
Extruder Shaft Speed    rpm     295                                       
Extruder Motor Load     %       15                                        
Water Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  17.35                                     
Steam Flow to Extruder (barrel injection)                                 
                        kg/hr.  6.0                                       
Control/Temperature 2nd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/92                                     
Control/Temperature 3rd Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                S/115                                     
Control/Temperature 4th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                S/110                                     
Control/Temperature 5th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                Vent                                      
Control/Temperature 6th Head                                              
                        °C.                                        
                                CW/76                                     
Control/Temperature 7th Head    CW/56                                     
Control/Temperature 8th Head    CW/55                                     
Head Pressure           kPa     8/1380                                    
Knife Drive Speed       rpm     295                                       
FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION                                                 
Extruder Discharge Moisture                                               
                        % wb    30.16                                     
Extruder Discharge Rate kh/hr   163.63                                    
Extruder Discharge Density                                                
                        kg/m.sup.3                                        
                                608                                       
Dryer Discharge Density kg/m.sup.3                                        
                                689.1                                     
Extruder Performance            Stable                                    
Duration of Run         min.    90                                        
Recipe Number                   4                                         
______________________________________
The cooler-dryer conditions were as recorded relative to Run #3. The feed had a moisture content of 27.71% by weight after treatment in the cooler-dryer.
EXAMPLE 4
In this example, feed products produced in accordance with Runs #3 and #5 were tested in Chile, to determine the gonad growth effects thereof in sea urchins (Loxechinus albus). The tests were conducted during the spring when sea urchin gonads are mature, and autumn during gonadal development. During each such tests, 75 animals were placed in a field sea cage and in a sea water aquarium where sea water flow was controlled with pumps. The 75 animals in each test environment were divided into five groups: Group 1, fed the kelp-containing feed of Run #3; Group 2, the kelp-free feed of Run #5; Groups 3 and 4, two species of naturally occurring algae; and Group 5, which was starved. All feeds were given ad libitum. Before each test, the initial average gonad index (the percent of body weight represented by gonads, Glavg) for a subsample of the animal population was determined. The following table sets forth the results of these tests, which presents approximate gonad index percentage data:
                                  TABLE 9                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
Group                                                                     
    Sea Cage-Spring                                                       
             Aquarium-Spring                                              
                      Sea Cage-Autumn                                     
                               Aquarium-Autumn                            
No. (GI.sub.avg = 14%)                                                    
             (GI.sub.avg = 13%)                                           
                      (GI.sub.avg = 5%)                                   
                               (GI.sub.avg = 5%)                          
__________________________________________________________________________
1   20       16       22       18                                         
2   17       16       19       20                                         
3   8        7.5      12       7                                          
4   7        8.5      12       8                                          
5   3        3.5       2       1                                          
__________________________________________________________________________
These data demonstrate that the feeds of the present invention (Groups 1 and 2) give substantially higher and statistically significant increases in gonadal growth during both natural growth and dormancy periods; moreover, this effect is observed in both a natural setting (sea tidal cage) and in the laboratory (aquarium).
EXAMPLE 5
In this example, two species of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) were reared under ambient light conditions in a simulated sea water aquarium system using both natural kelp and the kelp pellet of Run #3 as comparative ad libitum feeds. Each test group included 20 animals from each species, for a total of 40 animals per group. The test was commenced on May 7 when initial animal weight and diameters were determined, and continued until June 5 of the next year. At the end of the study, the gonad index and gonad grade of the animals were measured. These results are set forth in the following table.
                                  TABLE 10                                
__________________________________________________________________________
                            Final                                         
        Avg.                                                              
            Avg.                                                          
                Avg. Initial                                              
                      Avg. Final                                          
                            Gonad                                         
        Initial                                                           
            Final                                                         
                Horizontal                                                
                      Horizontal                                          
                            Index                                         
                                 Final Gonad                              
        Weight                                                            
            Weight                                                        
                Diameter                                                  
                      Diameter                                            
                            (% body                                       
                                 Grade                                    
Species/Diet                                                              
        (g) (g) (cm)  (cm)  weight)                                       
                                 (scale 1-10)                             
__________________________________________________________________________
S. franciscanus/                                                          
        10  41.1                                                          
                2.8   4.5    9.4 4.6                                      
kelp diet                                                                 
S. franciscanus/                                                          
        10  29.5                                                          
                2.8   4.0   25.1 5.1                                      
Run #3 diet                                                               
S purpuratus/                                                             
        2.4 37.8                                                          
                1.8   4.6    8.0 4.3                                      
kelp diet                                                                 
S. purpuratus/                                                            
        2.4 10.4                                                          
                1.8   2.9   22.3 <1                                       
Run #3 diet                                                               
__________________________________________________________________________
These data demonstrate that the animals fed the Run #3 pellets did not exhibit the degree of overall bodily growth shown by the kelp fed animals. However, the gonad index of the Run #3 fed animals was significantly greater than that of the kelp fed animals. Thus, the Run #3 fed animals reacted by reducing bodily growth while significantly increasing gonadal growth.

Claims (31)

We claim:
1. A semi-moist, stable sea urchin feed comprising an extruded, solid body which will sink in sea water, said body including from about 12-24% by weight total crude protein, from about 30-60% by weight carbohydrate, and from about 12-40% by weight moisture, said body having an as manufactured water activity of up to about 0.8, being storable at ambient temperature for a period of at least about two months, and being self-sustaining in sea water for a period of at least about 24 hours.
2. The feed of claim 1, including from about 15-20% by weight total crude protein.
3. The feed of claim 1, including from about 40-55% by weight carbohydrate.
4. The feed of claim 1, including from about 20-30% by weight moisture.
5. The feed of claim 1 said body having a water activity of up to about 0.7.
6. The feed of claim 1 said body being storable for a period of at least about six months.
7. The feed of claim 1, said body being self-sustaining in sea water for at least about four days.
8. The feed of claim 1 said body including from about 3-20% by weight humectant.
9. The feed of claim 1, said body including from about 5-12% by weight humectant.
10. The feed of claim 8, said humectant being a polyhydroxy compound.
11. The feed of claim 10, said humectant being glycerin.
12. The feed of claim 1, said total crude protein being derived from protein sources selected from the group consisting of marine meal, marine oil, soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn and mixtures thereof.
13. The feed of claim 1, said carbohydrate source being selected from the group consisting of soy, wheat, oats, barley, corn and mixtures thereof.
14. The feed of claim 1, said body including from about 1-65% by weight of kelp.
15. The feed of claim 14, including from about 5-35% by weight of kelp.
16. The feed of claim 1, said body having a specific gravity in sea water of greater than about 1.0.
17. The feed of claim 16, said specific gravity being greater than about 1.1.
18. The feed of claim 1, said body having a protein dispersibility index of less than about 30%.
19. The feed of claim 18, said protein dispersibility being from about 15-25%.
20. The feed of claim 1, said body having a bulk density from about 35-50 lbs/ft.3.
21. The feed of claim 20, said bulk density being from about 40-45 lb/ft3.
22. The feed of claim 1, said body having a maximum diameter of from about 0.5-1.5 cm.
23. The feed of claim 22, said maximum diameter being from about 0.75-1.0 cm.
24. The feed of claim 1, said body having a length of from about 1-2.5 cm.
25. The feed of claim 24, said length being from about 1.5-2 cm.
26. The feed of claim 1, said body including from about 0.1-8% by weight fish oil.
27. The feed of claim 26, said body including from about 0.2-4% by weight fish oil.
28. The feed of claim 1, said body including from about 0.1-3% by weight phosphoric acid.
29. The feed of claim 28, said body including from about 0.5-2% by weight phosphoric acid.
30. The feed of claim 1, said body having a maximum expansion of up to about 20%.
31. The feed of claim 30, said maximum expansion being up to about 10%.
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Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020039616A1 (en) * 2000-08-17 2002-04-04 Lanter Kent J. Cooled pipe animal feed gel extrusion
US6716470B2 (en) * 2000-08-17 2004-04-06 Purina Mills, Inc. Method and apparatus for making an animal feed gel using a cooled pipe
US20040180078A1 (en) * 2002-11-13 2004-09-16 Huber Gordon R. Extruded foodstuffs having maintenance level actives
US8632830B2 (en) 2003-09-15 2014-01-21 Trouw International B.V. Fish fodder for freshwater fish and use of such fodder
JP4570866B2 (en) * 2003-12-16 2010-10-27 林兼産業株式会社 Solid feed for cultured fish that can be stored at room temperature and distributed at room temperature
JP2005176624A (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-07-07 Hayashikane Sangyo Kk Culture-fish solid feed preservable and distributable at normal temperature
US7114461B2 (en) 2004-09-28 2006-10-03 Winterlab Limited Method for raising aquatic animals
US20060065204A1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2006-03-30 Winterlab Limited Method for raising aquatic animals
WO2008027427A2 (en) * 2006-08-30 2008-03-06 Bishop Robert L A biomass densifier apparatus
WO2008027427A3 (en) * 2006-08-30 2008-11-20 Robert L Bishop A biomass densifier apparatus
US20080299260A1 (en) * 2007-05-16 2008-12-04 Wenger Manufacturing, Inc. Extruded pet food product
WO2011101434A1 (en) * 2010-02-19 2011-08-25 Basf Se Kelp preparations for enhancing the growth of seafood and algae
US20180289040A1 (en) * 2014-09-08 2018-10-11 The United States Of America,As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture Method and system for producing aquaculture
CN116491609A (en) * 2023-06-06 2023-07-28 鲁东大学 A method for preparing compound feed for indoor cultivation of sea urchin seedlings

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